Build a Backpack: Charity STEM Team Building Activity
STEM Backpacks for Kids is a heart-warming, charitable, team-building program devoted to promoting and emphasizing the importance of education in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
In this unique build-a-backpack charity experience, teams work together to assemble educational STEM kits and school supplies for children ages five to ten. Through fast-paced, interactive challenges, your group will take part in one of the most rewarding STEM team building activities for adults – supporting early learning while strengthening communication, collaboration, and purpose within your team.
Program Agenda
The program kicks off with a high-energy icebreaker to energize the group and build momentum. Teams then engage in fun, collaborative challenges using our browser-based Brainstorm activity and/or Minute 2 Win It games to earn trips to the STEM Store. These mini-games include trivia, photo and video prompts, and puzzles that everyone can enjoy on their own devices – no downloads needed.
As teams collect points, they select from a range of educational supplies to include in the backpacks – from science kits and magnifying glasses to calculators, notebooks, and Rubik’s Cubes. The items have been curated in consultation with agencies nationwide to ensure they’re both age-appropriate and inspiring.
As the final collaborative twist, your entire group will come together to solve a culminating challenge that reinforces teamwork, celebrates your efforts, and can be customized to include your company’s branding or mission.
The result? Dozens (or hundreds!) of thoughtfully packed STEM backpacks—and a team united by purpose.
Program Outcomes & Takeaways
- Support under-resourced children with STE(A)M-focused educational tools
- Strengthen collaboration, communication, and problem-solving
- Encourage employee engagement through purpose-driven giving
- Reinforce company values and social impact initiatives
- Celebrate teamwork with a final custom-branded challenge
Program Customization
This program can be tailored to your group, including:
- Option to include handwritten notes or artwork from employees in the backpacks
- Highlight a local or national educational charity as a donation recipient
Build stronger teams while building a brighter future. Book ‘STEM Backpacks for Kids’ today to help inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Our historically popular iPad activities are still available upon request.
Our STEM Backpacks for Kids program was very organized by your lead facilitator who kept everything moving along at a good pace The opening icebreaker was really fun and the iPad questions were challenging. Building structures with the MakeDo kits and working on the electronics projects took a lot of teamwork! I think our employees really enjoyed the activities and the charitable aspect of this event with the assembling and donation of the STEM backpacks.